Revolving explosion-engine.



W. W. GERBER.

REVOLVING EXPLOSION. ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. I914. 1 1 925 Patented June 27, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

mm yww WITNESSES.-

A TTORN E Y.

W. W. GERBER. REVOLVING EXPLOSION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.6.19I4.

1 ,1 8,925. Patented June 27, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- IN VEN TOR:

Patented June 27, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

W ATTORNEY.

WILLIAM w.

GERBER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WALTER P. GERBER, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

REVOLVING EXPLOSION -ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Original application filed September 24, 1913, Serial No. 791,524. Divided and this application filed April 6,1914. Serial No. 829,835.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM \V. GERBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Revolving Explosion-Engine, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This'invention relates to engines of' the type that are adaptable for operation either by rotating a crank shaft or by holding the shaft in fixed position so that the cylinders and actuating elements may rot-ate about the shaft, the invention having reference more particularly to the construction of the engine generally and especially with respect to valves and valve-operating gearing for controlling admission of explosive charges and the escape of exhaust gases, the engine having been described in my pending application for Letters Patent of the United States. filed September 24, 1913, Serial No. 791,524, of which the present is a divisional application for Letters Patent.

An object of the invention is to provide a revolving engine that shall be so constructed as to be compact and powerful and also well balanced, more especially an engine of the explosion type, and which shall be adapted to be manufactured cheaply in large numbers, particularly in small sizes, and require relatively few patterns for casting the different parts for the multiplication of power.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvetL explosion engine of high power capacity relative to the extent of space occupied thereby, and which shall be especially adapted for use in automobile construction and also for propelling boats as well as for other purposes.

A still further object is to provide an improved. engine which may be so constructed as to be adapted for the use of various sources of energy, such as explosive mixtures, steam. or compressed air, and be highly eflicient. durable and economical in use.

Having the above mentioned and other objects in view. the invention consists in an improved engine comprising a crank shaft, a plurality of cylinders grouped about the shaft and having reciprocatory pistons therein connected with the crank shaft, novel means for controlling the admission of explosive charges to the cylinders, and also novel means for controlling the escape of the exhaust gases from the cylinders.

The invention also consists further in the novel parts and in the combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved engine as preferably constructed; Fig. :2, a fragmentary sectional plan view approximately on the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a fragmentary section on the line B B in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, an elevation of gear elements preferably employed for controlling the exhaust discharges; Fig. 5, a section approximately on the line C C in Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a diagrammatic view of the train of gearing for operating the exhaust valves of the engine, the gear wheels being indicated only by the pitch lines thereof; Fig. 7. a fragmentary sectional elevation approximately on the line D D in Fig. 5; Fig. 8. a fragmentary section approximately on the line E E in Fig. '1; Fig. 9, a section approximately on the line F F in Fig. 5; Fig. 10, a side elevation of one of the cylinders of the engine provided with heat radiators; Fig. 11, a central sectional view of the piston employed in the different cylinders. and Fig. 12 is a top plan of one of the plurality of elements related to the exhaust controlling apparatus.

In the various figures of the drawings similar reference characters indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein referred to and described.

The improved engine is illustrated and described as embodying a stationary crank shaft and cylinders arranged to revolve about the shaft a fragment of a supporting frame being sufficient to a clear understanding of the invention. the frame comprising two members 1 and 2 which support two suitable bearings and 4 respectively. The bearings support a main shaft which comprises a cylindrical journal portion 5 and an alining cylindrical journal portion 6, the portion 5 having a crank arm 7 thereon provided with a crank pin 8, the portion 6 having a crank arm 9 thereon provided with a crank pin 10, the two crank pins being on oppositesidcs of the axis of rotation of the shaft and are connected together by means of an arm 11. The portion 5 of the main shaft has a squared portion 12 which is fixedly secured in the bearing 3, the alining portion 6 having a squared portion 13 which is fixedly secured in the bearing 4. The portion 6 of the shaft has a longitudinal duct 14 extending therethrough for the'passage of explosive mixture into the crank box of the engine. The crank box comprises a head 15 having a hub 16 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft portion 5, and a peripheral or rim portion 17 having an internal flange 18 to which a head 19 is detachably secured, the head 19 having a hub 20 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft portion 6, so that the crank box is approximately drum-shaped, and as a convenient form the peripheral portion 17 is hexagonal exteriorly. In order to transmit motion the hub 16 is provided with a suitable wheel or pulley 21, and preferably the hub is provided with a packing box 22 and also a packing gland 23 in order to retain packing for preventing escape of explosive mixture from the crank box.

As illustrative of the invention, a suitable number of cylinders are shown, there being six cylinders 24. 25, 26. 27, 28 and 29 radially arrangedon the peripheral portion of the crank box and suitably secured thereto, all the cylinders being alike. In order to distribute the weight of the cylinders nearly equally on the two journal bearings of the crank box, three of the cylinders are arranged on one plane more nearly adjacent to one of the journal bearings than the other,

. the remaining three cylinders being arranged on another plane more nearly adjacent to the opposite journal bearing, so that the two groups of cylinders are on opposite sides of a median plane. Each cylinder has an exhaust valve-chest 3O thereon in which is a partition 31 having a port 32, the chest having a head 33 opposite the partition. The portion of the chest beyond the partition constitutes an explosion chamber which is in communication with the cylinder. The head 33 is provided on its outer side with a guide 34. The port 32 is provided with an exhaust valve 35 having a stem 36 that extends through the head and the guide, the end of the stem being provided with a suitable pivot head 37 for opening the valve which is adapted to admit the exhaust gases from the, explosion chamber into thespace between the partition 31 and the head 33, the valve being held removably on its seat by means of a spring 38 extending about the guide 34 and seated on the head 33 and the pivot head 37. Each valve chest is provided with an outlet opening 39 between the partition 31 and the head 33. Each cylinder is provided with a head 40.0n its outer end that extends over the valve chest and completes the formation of the explosion chamber, the wall of the explosion chamber being preferably provided with a ump spark plug 41. Preferably each cylinder is secured to the crank box by means of a suitable number of rods or bolts 42. The cylinders are so arranged that the valve chests are carried on one plane between the planes of the two groups of cylinders, so that the weight is equally distributed on the two hubs or journal bearings 16 and 20 of the crank box.

Each cylinder has a piston 43 therein adapted for reciprocatory movement relative to the cylinder, all the pistons being alike and having each a suitable wrist pin 44. A main pitman 45 is connected with the piston and the cylinder 25 and also with the crank pin 8 and is provided with two wrist' pins 46 and 47 on opposite sides thereof, a companion pitman 48 being connected to the pin 46 and also with the wrist pin 44 of the piston in the cylinder 24, another companion pitman 49 being connected to the pin 47 and also with the piston in the cylinder 26. Another main pitman 50 is connected to the crank pin 10 and also with the piston in the cylinder 28 and is provided with wrist pins 51 and 52 on opposite sides thereof, a companion pitman 53 being connected with the pin 51 and also with the piston in the cylindcr 29, a similar companion pitman 54 being connected to the pitman and also with the piston in the cylinder 27. \Vhen the cylinders collectively revolve about the main shaft, the pistons acquire a reciprocatory movement in the cylinders, the same result being obtained in case the cylinders are anchored or fixed while the shaft rotates.

In order to admit the explosive mixture into the outer portion of the cylinders and into the explosion chambers, the head of each piston is provided with one or more guides and a valve seat 56, a suitable number of apertures 57 being formed in the piston around the guide, the apertures being normally covered by a valve 58 removably seated on the valve seat 56, the valve having a stem 59 that extends through the guide and is provided with a head 60, a spring 61 being seated on the head and also on the inner side of the head of the piston and yieldingly holds the valve in closed position. \Vhen the piston moves toward the main shaft the valve opens, if there is no pressure upon it. and permits the passage of explosive mixture through the piston. The explosivemixture is conducted through the conduit 14 to the crank box and to the conduit by means of a pipe 62 suitably connected to the shaft portion 6 adjacent to the bearing 4, as by means of a union or coupler 63. The instroke of the piston, as will be understood, causes suction of the explosive mixture into the cylinder from the crank box, the vacuum in the cylinder being sulli cient to open the valves 58, excepting when explosions are occurring in the cylinders.

Improved apparatus is provided for opening the exhaust valves at the proper periods and comprises a number of arms 64' corresponding to the number of cylinders, the arms being securedto the crank box adjacent to the cylinders respectively, the base of each arm being provided with a guide 65 in which a push bar 66 is movably mounted, the latter being provided with an arm 67 on which a lever 68 is pivoted between its ends, one end of the lever being pivoted to the arm 64 and the opposite end to the head 37 on the stem of the valve for the adjacent cylinder, so that each exhaust,

valve is provided with independentcontrolling apparatus. There being in the present case six cylinders. a corresponding number of stub-axles 69, 70. 71. 72, 73 and 74 are secured on the head 19 of the crank box so as to be on a. circle concentric to the main shaft and opposite the ends of the push-bars, and cams 75. 76, 77, 78, 79 and 80 are rotatably mounted on the stub-axles respectively and are adapted to operate the respective pushbars 66 for causing the exhaust valves to be opened. The cams are operated and controlled by means of spur-tooth wheels 81, S2, 83, S4, 85 arid 86 that are fixedly connected to the cams respectively, and consequently rotate on the stub-axles. each two adjacent wheels being in mesh each with the other, so that all the wheels rotate in unison. One of the stub-axles, 73. is longer than the others, and the gear wheel 85 thereon has a spurtooth gear wheel 87 fixed thereon which is in mesh with a pinion 88 that is fixedly secured on the main shaft portion 6. in. the present case the pinion being one-half the diameter of the wheel 87.

For the purpose of quietly conducting away the exhaust gases from the cylinders under control, a bearing sleeve 89 preferably is secured to the main shaft portion 6 adjacent to the bearing 4, and an exhaust box is suitably mount-ed thereon, the box preferably comprising two matched parts 90 and 91 that are suitably joined together so that the part 90 may rotate on the sleeve in contact with the part 91, one part having a peripheralgroove 91 the companion part being provided with guide screws 93 that extend into the groove. It is obvious, however, that the two parts may be otherwise retained in close connection. The two parts together form a. chamber comprising a receiving portion 9- in the part 90, and a discharge portion 95 in the part 91, the latter part being provided with ears 96, 96. that are secured to the bearing 4:. A suitable number of exhaust pipes 97, 97, are connected to the part 90 of the exhaust box and also to the respective exhaust valve chests 30 at the opening 39 therein, so that all the exhaust gases are conducted to the exhaust box. A single exhaust pipe 98 is fixedly connected to the part 91 of the exhaust pipe and may be extended to any point desired for final discharge of the exhaust gases.

It should be understood that various modifications may be made if desired, so that steam may be conducted to the cylinders as the motive force, and that in order to utilize explosive mixture various means, such as that shown in my prior application for Letters Patent above mentioned may be provided, and also that the engine frame may be variously constructed so as to permit the main shaft to be arranged in any desired position relative to the horizontal.

In the interest of clearness, the obvious expedients for cooling the explosion cylinders are purposely omitted in the several figures of the drawings, excepting in Fig. 10, the common form of radiating ribs 99 extending around the cylinder and valve chest appear as sulliciently indicating the manner in which the cylinder may be prevented from becoming excessively hot in operation. It will be understood that the wrist pins, \vhereliiy each pitman other than the main pitman is connected with a crank pin, may be variously positioned on the main pit-man relative to the crank pin.

Obviously the engine is adapted to be equipped with an ignition system apparatus, the arrangement of the cylinders and spark plugs being adapted for the purpose, so that timing apparatus may be devised for suitably causing explosions in the different cylinders in the following order-in cylinders 24, 28, 26. 27. 25 and 29. Referring to Fig. the positions of the different pistons in the respective cylinders indicate the actions which may occur as follows: Explosion is assumed to have taken place in cylinder 2-1. In cylinder 25 scavenging is occurring. In cylinder 20, a charge is assumed to have been received and is being compressed pre paratory to ignition. In cylinder 27 a charge is being rcccived. In cylinder 28, it is assumed a charge has been compressed and is about to be ignited. In cylinder 29, exhaust is taking place. The relative arrangement of various elements being specifically described in order that the invention may be clearly understood, it is obvious that various modifications may be made and are contemplated within the scope of the accompanying claims.

In practical usc, the main shaft being fixedly supported sul'istantially as described, the crank box containing the fuel and the cylinders revolving around the shaft. the crank box carrying the exhaust valve cams and their train of gearing around the main shaft, it will be apparent that the cams and their gearing wheels rotate on their own axis. The fuel in the crank box periodically passes in charges through the pistons, and it is obvious that the charges may be ignited by other means than a spark plug if desired. In case it is decided to use steam or compressed air as the motive force, suitable provision obviously may be made for controlling the admission and exhaust of the motive fluid, and obviously the pistons will be suitably adapted for the purpose. When the motive fiuid acts upon the pistons in the cylinders, the force thereof applied through the pitmen to the eccentrically arranged crank pins causes the rotation of the cylinders and crank box about the main shaft, as will readily be understood by reference to Fig. 9.

The various specific results of the operation of the engine will be readily understood from the detailed description of the construction and function of the various elements thereof without further explanation.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. An engine including a fixedly supported crank shaft, a drum-like crank box provided with journal bearings that are 1'0- tatably mounted on the crank shaft, a plurality of cylinders radially arranged on and secured to the peripheral wall of the crank box, a number of the cylinders being grouped and arranged on one plane relatively nearer to one than the other of the journal bearings, an equal number of the cylinders being grouped and arranged on another plane relatively nearer to the remaining one of the bearings, each cylinder having a valx'e chest thereon, all the chests being on one and the same plane between the planes of rotation of the two groups of cylinders, and pistons in the cyllnders respectively and 'operatively connected with the crank shaft.

2. In an explosion engine, the combina tion of a main shaft, a crank box rotatably mounted on the shaft, a pinion secured to the shaft, a stub axle secured to thecrank box, a cam rotatably mounted on the axle and having, a gear wheel thereon in mesh with the pinion, a cylinder mounted on the crank box and having an exhaust valve chest, a valve movable in the valve chest and having a stem provided with a head, a spring interposed between the head and the valve chest, an arm secured to the crank box and having a guide in the base portion thereof, a lever pivoted to the arm and also to said head, and a push-bar movably guided in said guide in the path of movement of said cam and having an arm pivoted to said lever.

3. In an explosion engine, the combination of a crank shaft fixedly supported, a crank box rotatably mounted on the shaft, a cylinder secured to the crank box, a piston in the cylinder operatively connected with the crank shaft. an exhaust valve for the cylinder having a stem, a stub axle secured to the crank box, a cam rotatably mounted on the axle and havinga gear wheel thereon, a pinion secured to the crank shaft in mesh with the gear wheel, an arm secured to the crank box and having a guide in the base portion thereof, a lever pivoted at one end to said arm and having its opposite end pivoted to said valve stem. and a push-liar movably guided in said guide in the path of movement of said cam and having an arm that is pivoted to said lever between its ends.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM W. GERBER. \Vitnesses E. T. SILvIUs,

M. E. SPARROW. 

